Prince William is on parade!

The Duke of Cambridge, 39, took the salute from the Irish Guards regiment that he is honorary head of, and presented them with their new colors (flags) at a special ceremony on Tuesday.

The parade, which took place in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, comes ahead of Trooping the Colour on June 2, which not only marks Queen Elizabeth's official birthday but also kicks off the long weekend of celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee. At the annual parade in central London on June 2, the 1st battalion of the Irish Guards will troop their color.  

And perhaps the Queen, who would have been sitting in her private apartments in the castle at the time, heard some of the "Three Cheers" for Her Majesty that rang out from the soldiers below.

William was appointed Colonel on the Irish Guards in 2011 and takes part in the presentation of new colors. He and Kate Middleton also attend the St. Patrick's Day celebrations and parade at their base each year.

After being welcomed to the quadrangle by the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, Prince William was introduced to Major Niall Hall, the Regimental Adjutant, before taking his place on the Saluting Dais.

After the national anthem, God Save the Queen was played, William, 39, then inspected some of the guards lined up in front of him, Carlton-Smith and the Battalion Second-in-Command Major Tim Rogers inspected others.

Before William presented the new flag that is decorated with the regiment's achievements and honors, there was a consecration of the colors by chaplains from the household division of the army.